Crystal Cruises' 2007 World Cruise Debuts Brain-Boosting Enrichment Programs

Crystal Cruises' 2007 World Cruise Debuts Brain-Boosting Enrichment Programs

Collegiate Course Offers Transferable Credits - An Industry First

LOS ANGELES, July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Can taking a Crystal World Cruise boost brain power? Are there therapeutic aspects of the onboard experience that can lead to well-being long after the cruise concludes? Studies show that creative expression through cultural arts and music improves mental agility, language processing and depression. While Crystal Cruises is not guaranteeing it can heal, the cruise line is promising exceptionally stimulating programming for its 2007 World Cruise.

Renowned for its stellar onboard enrichment, Crystal is raising the bar for its 12th annual World Cruise with a new Yamaha Master Class in keyboard instruction, interactive acting workshops, seminars on memoir writing and even a collegiate course in computers. During Crystal Serenity's 109-day global odyssey, January 12 - May 1, 2007, guests will enjoy an unprecedented opportunity to explore their individual passions through a variety of engaging programs.

"A World Cruise is considered the grandest of voyages for many reasons -- not only is it about exploring new lands, it's also an opportunity to truly immerse oneself in a personal area of interest," says Bret Bullock, Crystal's vice president of entertainment. "Our new enrichment offerings provide guests with stimulating activities that allow their creative expression to flourish. From playing the piano and understanding computers to getting up on stage to act out a lifelong dream, guests tell us our enrichment classes have a tremendous impact on their well-being and quality of life."

Scientific studies underwritten by the American Music Conference, the UCLA Center on Aging, Stanford University and other organizations support the benefits of cultural arts activities, especially in a group learning environment. Research points to advancement in everything from cognitive development and hand-eye coordination in children, to improvements in loneliness, depression and the brain chemistry of Alzheimer's patients among seniors.

Offered complimentary, the new programs are featured in addition to the dozens of special interest classes comprising Crystal's innovative Creative Learning Institute (CLI), the most original program of experiential and interactive "edutainment" ever offered at sea. Among the daily pursuits available are Yoga, Tai Chi and language classes. New classes set for the line's 12th annual World Cruise include:

* Collegiate Course in Computers -- In an industry first, guests on the
full World Cruise can earn three transferable college credits, while
those participating in one or more of the seven World Cruise segments
can earn continuing education units. Taught by a college professor,
classes including "Components of the System Unit," "Computer Storage
Devices," "Database Management," and "Privacy and Ethics" are an
expansion of the line's revolutionary Computer University@Sea which
debuted in 1997. (While guests can take the courses free of charge,
those who wish to receive the credits or units will be required to
pay a fee.)

* Memoir Writing with journalist Joe Kita -- Acting as a personal coach,
Kita will teach an enrichment writing course to fulfill the dream of
many to capture in words their experiences, life lessons and advice.
Guests will not only leave the World Cruise with memories, but will
also have a lasting legacy. A journalist for 25 years, Kita also
taught writing at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA.

* Yamaha Master Class -- Guests with previous musical experience can
explore Master classes on composition, arranging, improvisation, chord
studies and playing by ear. An ongoing "independent study" class
allows each student to progress at his or her own pace with personal
assistance from the Yamaha "Passport to Music" instructor, and guests
are invited to perform before fellow travelers during formal recitals.

* Repertory Theatre at Sea Acting Workshops -- Crystal's Repertory
Theatre at Sea actors will lead progressive, interactive workshops on
the basics of acting and stage movement, line memorization and
improvisation, culminating in a theatrical performance for fellow
guests.

* 2007 Odyssey Art Masterpiece Art Program -- Art classes using the ports
as inspiration for guests to create a different masterpiece each
segment. New in 2007 will be mosaics workshops, mask-making classes
(perfect for the ship's call in Rio during Carnaval) and a
jewelry-making segment using semi-precious stones and other materials
indigenous to the ports. Classes in stone sculpting, painting and
scrap-booking are also part of the art curriculum.

Traveling from Miami, Florida to Southampton, England, Crystal Serenity's Treasures of Sun and Sea World Cruise will explore 45 ports of call in 27 countries on five continents. Offered in seven segments with departures from Valparaiso, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cape Town, South Africa; Dubai, UAE; Istanbul, Turkey; and Civitavecchia (for Rome), Italy; the 2007 World Cruise also includes three intriguing maiden calls in Coquimbo, Chile; Maputo, Mozambique; and Gabes, Tunisia.

The Crystal Difference

In the February 2006 issue of Conde Nast Traveler, Crystal Serenity was awarded with the coveted No. 1 spot in the magazine's 6th annual "Best Cruise Ships in the World" readers' poll.

Crystal Cruises enjoys a reputation for excellence, grounded in over a decade of prestigious accolades. Most recently, Crystal has been voted "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines for 11 and 10 consecutive years, respectively -- the only cruise line, resort or hotel to have achieved such distinction.

For additional information, contact a travel agent or call 888-799-4625. Visit the luxury line's website at www.crystalcruises.com.

CONTACT: Mimi Weisband 310-203-4302

publicrelations@crystalcruises.com

Source: Crystal Cruises

CONTACT: Mimi Weisband of Crystal Cruises, +1-310-203-4302,
publicrelations@crystalcruises.com

Web site: http://www.crystalcruises.com/

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